Furniture-caster.



No. 6%,!53. Patented Dec. 3|,. l90l.

w. JONES & c. A. RAPE. FURNITURE (FASTER.

(Application filed June 19, 1901.)

(No Model.)

'Uniirnn States PATENT OFFICE.

W'ILLIAM E. JONES AND CHARLES A. RAPE, OF IVASIIINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD TO JOSEPH O. HARVEY, OF VVASH- INGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

FURNlTURE-CASTER.

SEEGEEIGATICN forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,153, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed June 19,1901. Serial No. 65,174. (No model.)

T (tZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM E. J owns and CHARLES A. RAPE, of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Furniture- Casters; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to IO make and use the same.

This invention relates to furniture-casters.

The object is to provide a caster especially adapted for heavy furniture, one wherein the bearing-points will be distributed over a I5 greater number of balls than is the case with ball-bearin g casters heretofore known or used.

A further object is to so construct the caster- Wheel as to increase its strength and durability and secure a direct line of bearing at right angles to the axle-pin.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view. Fig. 3 shows the wheel detached and in vertical section. Fig. 4 is a side view thereof. Figs. 5 and 6 are edge and face views of one of the plates forming the raceways.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the yoke, and 2 its swivel-pin fitted in a socket 3, and 4 ball-bearings between the top of the yoke and the swivel-plate 5, which latter is preferably attached to the furniture by screws. 5 Through coincident openings in the sides 7 of the yoke is passed the axle-pin 8. Adjacent to the sides of the yoke are two circular plates 9, having inner opposed bosses 10, which bind tightly against each other when the axle-pin is permanently secured to the yoke. The plates 9 extend some distance below the sides of the yoke and well up into the latter. Their inner edges are curved to form raceways for balls 12, interposed between the plates and the wheel 13. The plates are of the diameter stated so as to throw the raceways some distance from the axle-pin,to the end that a maximum number of balls 12 may be employed. Thewheel13 is preferably of solid metal and has a central opening to accommodate the bosses 10. It is approximately T-shaped in cross-section from its center to its periphery, its web or inner narrowed portion fitting in the space between the plates 9, while the laterally extended tread projects over the edges of the plates to such an extent that the annular shoulders 14 form complementary raceways for the balls. By this construction the weight is thrown in adirect vertical line and not laterally against the sides of the yoke, thus relieving the latter and avoiding danger of breakage. The two side plates are stationary, and their diameter relatively to that of the wheel is such as to throw the raceways as near the periphery of the wheel as possible and still preserve sufficient body of metal in the tread of the wheel to secure the necessary strength and durability required in casters for heavy furniture. The advantage of this arrangement is that the bearingis always on not less than three of the balls both above and below the axle-pin. This being true of the balls in each raceway, it is obvious that heavy pieces of furniture may be easily moved with but very little exertion.

The advantages of ourinvention are apparent. It will be seen that by employing the plates which form the raceways for the balls the latter are thrown as near the tread of the wheel as possible, thus distributing the weight or friction over a far greater number of balls than is possible when the latter are located in close relation to the axle-pin. A caster constructed in accordance with our invention is strong and durable and has been found to be highly advantageous in handling heavy pieces of furniture.

We claim as our invention- 1. The combination with the yoke and the axle-pin supported thereby, of the circular plates mounted within the yoke on the pin and having their peripheraledges forming annular raceways, the caster-wheel between the plates having complementary annular raceways in its sides near its tread, and balls in such raceways, said plates fitting in the sides of the wheel and extending to near the periphery thereof, as set forth.

2. The combination with the yoke and the aXle-pin,of the circular plates mounted on the pin Within the yoke and having their periph- I eral edges forming annular rac'eWays, the Wheel having complementary annular race- Ways in its sides nearits peripher and lateral extensions projecting over the edges of said plates,and balls in said racoways engaging the inner faces of said lateral extensions, as set forth.

3. The combinationwith the yoke and the axle-pin, of the circular plates on said pin having their peripheral edges forming annular raceways, of the caster-Wheel having a central bore and of approximately T shape in cross-section, the web of said wheel being between said plates and its laterals extended over the edges thereof forming complemen tary racevvays, and balls within said raceways, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof We have signed this specification in the presence of, two subscribing Witnesses.

' WILLIAM E. J QNES; CHARLES A. RAPE. v Witnesses:

GRAFTON L. MCGILL, FRANK S. MAGUIRE. 

